The Chicago Bulls have blown a 2-0 lead and will now look to force Game 7 against the Boston Celtics as they take home court for the sixth game of the series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 10am (AEST).
The Bulls surprised everyone as they flew out of the gates, taking the first two games on the road against the top Eastern Conference seed.
The Celtics didn’t play anywhere near their potential in the first two games at home, and it looked as if the occasion got to them. Heading out on the road and away from the pressure though, they have turned it around to win three straight, and now hold the advantage heading into Game 6.
Jimmy Butler was the star of the show for the Bulls during the first two games as he was to get his side to the playoffs, but Rajon Rondo was the surprise packet, and it’s hurt having him on the sideline injured.
There is almost no coincidence that he didn’t line up for Game 3, hasn’t since and the Celtics have won three on the trot to take control of the series.
Isaiah Thomas has found his mojo again after a tough opening to the series, with tragedy on a personal level. He has found a way to remain the professional though, receiving solid support from Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley among others to bring Boston back to the fore.
After a big 104-87 win to get on the board, they picked up nine and 11 point victories respectively in Games 4 and 5, and now hold all the momentum.
In Game 5, Thomas, Bradley and Al Horford all scored more than 20 points, and it was obvious the difference in output between the two sides. With Horford coming into form, it allows the Celtics to dominate the paint as well as the arc.
Despite Dwayne Wade taking over for the Bulls with 26, they don’t seem at this point to be able to string a full team performance together, with Butler struggling not for the first time in the series. He scored 14, but only had 6 of 15 from the field which is simply not good enough.
The winner of the series will go on to face the winner of the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks, with Game 6 to be played in Atlanta and the Wizards up 3-2.
Prediction
This is all going to come down to how Butler plays. If he can get aggressive, the Bulls stand a chance despite Rondo still being noted as unlikely to play. Boston hold all the momentum though and should wrap this up with one to play thanks to a hard-fought road win.
Celtics by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the all-important Game 6 in this series from 10am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that'll just about do it here on The Roar this morning. Thanks for joining me for our live coverage of the NBA Playoffs as the Boston Celtics skipped away from the Chicago Bulls. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. The second round kicks off on Monday and our coverage will continue, but before then there is the usual Saturday feast of sport to get around on The Roar, so be sure to swing it over to the homepage and check it out. I'll be live from 2pm (AEST) tomorrow for the New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters in the NRL. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Conference semi-finals West Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clipps/Utah Jazz San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets East Boston Celtics vs Washington Wizards Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The clock just winds down here. Brown makes a dunk for Boston driving baseline, Chicago come up with a turnover. None of it matters. The blowout is complete and Boston will move on to face Washington in the second round of the NBA Playoffs after a dominant victory, the Bulls fans letting everyone know exactly what they think. Chicago Bulls - 83 Boston Celtics - 105
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Isaiah Thomas heading back to the locker room. He has a flight out straight after the game for the funeral service of his sister tomorrow, so his coach has obviously told him to head off. Back out on the floor and it's Boston up by 22 now. A missed free throw Brown on the and one right there. Bulls - 81 Celtics - 103
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Carter-Williams flips it in on the run before there is a turnover and Portus comes away with it for Chicago. He finds Williams again and he draws a foul. Timeout called - should be the final one of the game. Bulls - 76 Celtics - 99
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Winding, winding, winding down here. Bulls on the ball and it's Grant into the paint, making a reverse lay up. Boston back through Brown and he passes it over the sideline before Valentine puts up an air ball. Now Young a miss from deep for the Celtics. Bulls - 74 Celtics - 99
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Valentine makes a bucket from close range for the Bulls, then Brown makes a lay up before the Bulls turn it over. Boston back up the floor and Rozier misses a corner three. Bulls - 72 Celtics - 99
Scott Pryde
Expert
Back in Chicago, Jerebko sends a ball over the sideline and we have timeout called. Bulls - 70 Celtics - 97
Scott Pryde
Expert
WASHINGTON VS ATLANTA FINAL The Wizards have beaten the Hawks 115-99 and will take on the Celtics (provided they get through the next five minutes) in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Game 1 there is set to be Sunday night (Monday morning AEST) in Boston.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Portus with a shot off the glass now before the Celtics miss from deep through Smart. Back up the floor and it's a pair of missed threes on either side of an offensive board. Bulls - 70 Celtics - 97
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Brown a miss for the Celtics, Portus a miss for the Bulls on the hook now. Back up the floor and it's a three from the corner for Boston through Rozier. Bulls - 68 Celtics - 97
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Can we just end this already? Game is done and dusted that's for sure. Lauvergne to the free throw line after a couple of misses from either side and he makes both. Bulls - 68 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Back from the timeout. Williams makes one. Bulls - 66 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Out in Atlanta, it's the Wizards starting to skip away. They are up 11 with 2 minutes to play.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Timeout on the floor, and at this point there is literally no point in delaying the inevitable. Bulls - 65 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Carter-Williams into the paint now and he makes a layup for the Bulls before Green knocks down Boston's 15th three pointer of the game. Williams into the paint once again and he is fouled. Bulls - 65 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Three for Jerebko from the wing for Boston now before the Bulls make a shot in the paint. Now a shot clock violation for the Celtics. Bulls - 63 Celtics - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Lauvergne makes both. Bulls - 61 Celtics - 88
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Lauvergne with a miss in the paint now for the Bulls, but he draws the foul and will go to the charity strike. Bulls - 59 Celtics - 88